yes i have heard of several people dying from too much water but it is an excessive amount like the one lady in a radio contest she drank like 4 gallons in an hour. As long as you dont go that far and let your body absorb it you will be fine. But if you get to the point of severe headache you have gone too far.

One should have an ounce of water per pound of half of their body weight, throughout the course of a day. If you work out, it should be increased.

wrkn's right. Your goal is to drink half your body weight in ounces of water.
If you weigh 200lbs, then try to drink close to 100 ounces of water a day.

wow that's nice to know...i recently had to go on a direutic due to swelling and retaining too much water...so we do need to be careful then huh...

Correct me if I am wrong here wrknprogress(you are the fitness expert..no dig honestly, I figured you would know), the body has to maintain a certain PH based upon the salt in your body to the H20. Hence most people who worry about over absorption are advised to get off iodiozed salt and get back to basics such as celtic salt or sea salt.

I was also told that if there is too much water in your system, you can acquire "chills" quicker based upon the over abundancy of liquid in the cells.

I too am a culprit of drinking too much water. Is nothing easy?

I usually think the body knows best. If you are thirsty drink water. Then stop. Then when you are thirst again, drink water.

Don't drink pints of wine if you are thirsty - drink water.

Don't drink pints of coffee if you are thirsty - drink water.

Don't eat and eat and eat if you are thirsty - drink water.

But, if you are not thirsty, because you have drunk enough, then don't bother. You will soon know when you are thirsty again. That is why we have sensations.

Well, I do agree that there is a chance of literally drinking too much water...but this rarely happens. If your lytes are out of whack...that usually means there is something lacking in your diet. If something seems off, don't hesitate to talk to your doctor about it and have a chem profile drawn. This will give you a true reading of how your body is processing the lytes your are consuming and if you are lacking in any. Most americans are chronically dehydrated...this is a proven fact. We tend to go for flavored drinks instead of water...it's who we are, it's what we do. Again, if your diet is lacking especially in sodium and carbs...you can become "overhydrated".

As far as water retention...fight water with water!! This too, is a proven fact. I have a tendency to hold water because of meds I take...I don't swell near as bad if I stay hydrated. The worst thing you can do for yourself if you have a propensity towards water retention, is let yourself become dehydrated! It makes it worse. And caffeine...this too makes it worse. Caffeine is a diuretic as well as alcohol. The more you drink, the more you will hold!

So, if you have an alcoholic beverage, have a glass of water for every drink you have. Caffeine too.

I got up to a gallon a day and I felt so great- my skin was clearer and I was more awake!

These people who drink too much are doing gallons in a hour, usually on a dare.